Cruz Reveals Reason Behind Trump Endorsement

Texas senator Ted Cruz raised a lot of eyebrows with his decision to endorse Republican nominee Donald Trump, but he says his decision came as a revelation after months of prayer.

He was also quick to point out that there were no deals behind the scenes, as some suspected his decision came out of his own self-interest.

“I don’t believe I could in good conscience look my kids in the eyes and say I sat by [and let Clinton win],” he told the Texas Tribune. “All three of us [Cruz, his wife and his father] have decided to forgive the past, and my focus in making this decision was on trying my best to do the right thing for the country.”

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Cruz, who had previously been a staunch opponent of Trump’s, said that this election is about more than his previous qualms with Trump.

“This is not personal. This is not about our family,” he added. “It’s about the country.”

In some ways, Cruz has tried to sell his endorsement as a pledge to stop Clinton, more than an outright endorsement of the Republican nominee, with whom he’s had many disagreements.

At the same time, Cruz also has reasons directly related to Trump’s policy platform.

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In a Facebook post explaining his decision, Cruz pointed to the potential Supreme Court nominations that could happen during the next president’s term, as well as key policy differences between Trump and the Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton.

“Our country is in crisis,” he wrote. “Hillary Clinton is manifestly unfit to be president, and her policies would harm millions of Americans. And Donald Trump is the only thing standing in her way.”

Trump recently expanded and finalized his list of potential supreme court nominees, which has been well-received by conservatives. Cruz gave his approval of the list, specifically pointing to Mike Lee, a U.S. senator from Utah.

Some have said Cruz’s decision is a risk, and Cruz himself said the decision was “agonizing.”

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Pundits have suggested that Cruz’s decision is a move to appease Republicans angry with his non-endorsement at the Republican National Convention. Cruz has stuck to his guns, affirming his commitment to the country and its people.

“If Clinton wins, we know — with 100% certainty — that she would deliver on her left-wing promises, with devastating results for our country,” he said in his Facebook post. “My conscience tells me I must do whatever I can to stop that.”